Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12) eBook

Off the northerncoast of Sicily lies a group of small
islands, still called the AEolian Isles, after AEolus,
king of the winds, whose palace stood upon the largest.
Here he lived in a rock-bound castle, and kept the
boisterous winds fast bound in strong dungeons, that
they might not go forth unbidden to work havoc and
destruction. But for his restraining hand they
would have burst forth and swept away land and sea
in their fury. To this rocky fortress Juno came
with a request to AEolus. “Men of a race
hateful to me are now crossing the sea. I beseech
you, therefore, send a storm to scatter the ships and
drown the men in the waves. As a reward I will
give you one of my fairest nymphs in marriage.”
Thus she urged, and at her bidding AEolus struck the
rock and the prison gates were opened. The winds
at once rushed forth in all directions. The clouds
gathered and blotted out sky and daylight, thunder
roared and lightning flashed, and the Trojans thought
their last hour had come. Even AEneas lost heart,
and envied the lot of those who fell before Troy by
the sword of Diomede. Soon a violent gust struck
his ship, the oars were broken, and the prow turned
round and exposed the side to the waves. The water
closed over it, then opened again, and drew down the
vessel, leaving the men floating on the water.
Three ships were dashed against sunken rocks, three
were driven among the shallows and blocked with a mound
of sand. Another was struck from stem to stern,
then sucked down into a whirlpool. One after
another the rest succumbed, and it seemed as if each
moment must see their utter destruction.

Meantime Neptune in his palace at the bottom of the
sea had noticed the sudden disturbance of the waters,
and now put out his head above the waves to learn
the cause of this commotion. When he saw the
shattered Trojan ships he guessed that this was Juno’s
work. Instantly he summoned the winds and chid
them for daring to disturb the waters without his
leave. “Begone,” he said, “and
tell your master AEolus that the dominion of the sea
is mine, not his. Let him be content to keep
guard over you and see that you do not escape from
your prison.” While he spoke Neptune was
busy calming the waters, and it was not long before
he put the clouds to flight and brought back the sunshine.
Nymphs came to push the ships off the rocks, and Neptune
himself opened a way out of the shallows. Then
he returned to his chariot, and his white horses carried
him lightly across the calm waters.

Thankful to have saved a few of his ships, all shattered
and leaking as they were, AEneas bade the helmsman
steer for the nearest land. What was their joy
to see within easy reach a quiet harbor closed in by
a sheltering island. The entrance was guarded
by twin cliffs, and a forest background closed in
the scene. Once within this shelter the weary
vessels needed no anchor to secure them. Here
at last AEneas and his comrades could stretch their
aching limbs on dry land. They kindled a fire
of leaves with a flint, and dried their sodden corn
for a scanty meal.